By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. and members of the Val Verde County Commissioners Court said during their most recent meeting they will join county landowners in opposing the proposed placement of a high-voltage electrical transmission line through portions of the county.
Owens addressed the item shortly after the court’s opening ceremonies.
The agenda item called for “discussion and possible action on a joint application of AEP Texas Inc. and the city of San Antonio, acting by and through the City Public Service Board, to amend their Certificates of Convenience and Necessity for the Howard-to-Solstice 765-kilovolt single-circuit transmission line” across multiple counties, including Val Verde.
Owens said the court had previously expressed concerns.
“We got a packet last week detailing where they were going through, and we put it on the agenda because we’ve talked about this once before,” Owens said. “We’ve already sent a letter saying we opposed it; not completely opposed it, but we opposed it because of landowner rights and environmental issues. This came back up, and I felt the court should be involved again, with another letter to send to them, so that’s how come it’s on the agenda.”
Owens then invited anyone in the audience who wanted to address the issue to speak.
Del Rio attorney and landowner Byron Hodge told the court he opposes the proposed routing of the line.
“I’m here in opposition, not necessarily to the concept of the transmission line, but to the routing issue,” Hodge said. “Let me say to begin with, that this is the most complicated legal matter that I’ve had occasion to look at in the 50-some-odd years that I’ve practiced law.”
Hodge explained the process is bifurcated, beginning with an administrative phase to determine the route, followed by a legal phase involving condemnation proceedings if agreements are not reached with landowners.
“My purpose today is to discuss the routing issue,” Hodge said. “What makes sense to most people I’ve talked to is to follow (Highway) 277 to I-10 and stay within existing rights-of-way. You don’t disturb anybody, you don’t end up with problems crossing the Devils River, and you don’t make the ranches unsuitable for recreation.”
Hodge also urged the county to remain involved in the process and consider filing an interpleader action.
“That’s the only way you’re going to be able to be heard and really have a part in making a determination where this route is going to be,” he said.
Owens then recognized Darrell Davis, another Val Verde County landowner.
“I just want to thank the commissioners court for their opposition to the Howard Solstice transmission line and would like to encourage you to continue that opposition,” Davis said. “These electrical towers would be 160 feet tall and will take a right-of-way 200 feet wide, and that’s going to be a detriment to the property values in northern Val Verde County or anyplace in Val Verde County that it crosses.”
Davis also pointed to emerging developments related to energy demand.
“These transmission lines have been in the planning process since 2024, and the main reason for them is the AI data centers. AI data centers take a lot of power,” Davis said, adding recent federal discussions encouraging localized power generation could impact future transmission needs.
Owens then asked each of the commissioners to comment.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Kerr Wardlaw said, “I would like, aside from the letter that you’re speaking of, to include in the same motion, for Val Verde County to apply as an intervenor, just like the landowners.”
Pct. 2 Commissioner Juan Carlos Vazquez said, “I stand opposed, judge, so whatever the court can do, that’s my opinion.”
Pct. 3 Commissioner Fernando Garcia said, “My thing is, we hired a lobbyist, at the state level . . .”
Owens interjected the court had not yet hired the lobbying firm.
Garcia continued, “When we hire them, can we get them on this? It’s going to get settled in Austin. It’s not going to get settled here, so we need someone with some leverage pushing our side.”
Owens said the letter the court would send would go out within the week.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Gustavo “Gus” Flores said, “I think we need to protect the property owners. Where this transmission line’s going to go through, I think it’s not right, them cutting through the middle of ranches, so I think (going along) I-10 would be a great idea, but I’m all for protecting the property owners.”
Wardlaw then pointed to maps displayed during the meeting showing proposed routes.
“You can see the swath that runs through the county. It’s like they come into Val Verde County as soon as they can, and they stay in Val Verde County as long as they can,” Wardlaw said. “I think if they’re going to move, they can move closer to Rocksprings and go up and not just include as much of Val Verde County as they can.”
Owens agreed existing highway corridors would be preferable.
“I think one of the things that was proposed was if they could stick close to a highway that’s already there, that would make all the sense in the world,” he said.
Owens then made a motion for the county to oppose the transmission line, suggest alternate routing along existing rights-of-way and explore any authority the county may have regarding crossings of county roads.
He also asked County Attorney David Martinez to investigate whether the county could file an interpleader action as suggested by Hodge.
The motion, seconded by Vazquez, was approved unanimously.
Owens said a letter outlining the county’s position will be sent immediately, and a resolution will be brought back before the court at its next meeting.
He also thanked residents who reached out to express their concerns.
